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Knuckleheads #1-3

by Sean Tonelli on August 28, 2013

Comedy is all about timing. Ask any comedian out there. If you don’t having timing, you don’t have jack. To know when to cut in, reign back or let loose is an art. Any actor can hop on stage and read Shakespeare, but not every actor can make that same crowd laugh with only a few words. This is why a lot of comic book writers tend to shy away from comedic tales. Sure, some superhero books manage to squeak in a one-liner now and then, but to have a comic deal with pure comedic parody, and successfully, is a rare thing. Thank goodness Knuckleheads, a super-hero parody of epic proportions, has got the timing down and the results are uproarious and original.

Knuckleheads tells the story of Trevor K. Trevinski and his roommate Lance Powers, a twenty-something slacker and his more respectable, and orderly roommate. One hung-over day, Trevor is visited by aliens who bestow upon him the power of The Crystal Fist, a form of super-spacey, crystal-like brass knuckles. So what does Trevor decide to do with his great power? Cheat at video-games and get free Netflix of course! But what happens when a giant monster attacks his city, knocks out his power, ruins his videogame and captures a hot drunk English chick? Well, he’s going to save the day... eventually.

Brian Winkeler has crafted a great story, one that manages to squeeze out more than enough laughs in its short pages. Unlike other stories that tackle a typical slacker character, Trevor’s dialogue is believable and current. The exchanges and asides he makes with Lance never feels forced, in fact, if you’ve ever been in a dorm room, or met any of my friends, the dialogue is a spot on recreation of juvenile one-up-man ship.

On top of the funny, Knuckleheads is a gorgeous book to look at. Robert Wilson IV has crafted characters with crisp, think line work and a keen eye to subtly that makes the book stand out. From Trevor’s paunch, to his Wiimote, the pop culture easter egg’s fit nicely within Winkeler’s world. Jordan Boyd’s colour work elevates the book to heights unseen in the world of indie comics. The palette, with excellent use of neon, is a treat for the eyes and a major high-light of the series.

With Knuckleheads #3 dropping this week, now is a great time to get caught up on a series I’m sure you have missed. Irreverent, original and more importantly, funny, Knuckleheads is a treat for slacker and hero alike.